The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-07-02
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
The Old Mercantile Library-Trifing
Damage Suits and Too Many OF Them
The Fourth, &C., sc.
BALTn-oRE. June 9

BALTIMORE, June 2sth, 1887.
Messrs. Editors Il am glad to see that the old
and venerable Mercantile Library, after having
closed, lacking properly in patronage, has
SO far revived that it will be opened again. This
has been done pretty much through the exertions
of Mr.. James r. Brewer, of the EUening Neps,
whom, with some others of his friends, were very
active in the matter of getting the necessary num-
Der of subscribers to put it on permanent basis,
better than heretofore. I am especially delighted
to learn this as was one of its founders-or who
took great interest in its being organized-with
several other young men many years ago. Aside
from the many valuable books on its shelves in the
past and at the time of its closing many new ones
will be added to them. Many of the old sub
scrbers have again given their subscriptions to its
continuance. 1t will in no way interfere with the
Pratt Free Library and there is certainly room
enough for both. The style and character of
many of its works differ from the Pratt Library.
There are too, "reminiscences connected with it
that should not be forgotten, and perhaps never
will. I suppose it will be in running order this
fall or during the coming winter.
I observe that there are suits brought in our
courts in Baltimore and elsewhere throughout the
country for damages, many of which are of per-
sonal character, and good many just for spite
work. Others again-too many ofthem-brought
by young lawyers just entering into practice in
order to get some business. It costs the attorney
nothing but little trouble to bring such suits and
he relies upon contingent fee if successful. Very
often there is not the slightest grounds for the
cause and often the person sued is lily prepared
to pay expenses. The defendant, however, Is
Obliged to defend himself. He is often under the
necessity of feeling lawyer to get out of the scrape
or let the case 60 by default, in which case he has
the expenses to pay besides being liable to other
annoyances and expenses. The truth is in such
damage cases they are in too many instances
brought for mere spite. Very often juries will
render verdict for one cent damages, which gem
orally cnrry the costs of court with 1t, which, with
couns fees and other necessary avpansas amounfs
| IN unite a sum. Persons too, are often annoyed
| and put to great inconvenience in being oohgeo
| IN attend court daily when they have other more
| ;mportant affairs to attend to elsewhere oucn
snits are often brought for the causes L have al
luded to With no expectation Of getting more thar
lawyers fees. The truth is the pp5saSUsSa.asnO
1 many such suits ought to be made pay the costs
and fine, too, if it is shown that nothing but
spite was at the bottom of it. It is no trihe to be
| thus annoyed. 1t is bad enough when there Is o
| clear case.
| The natal day of American independence will
| be celebrated on Monday next. As usual it will
be legal and general holiday, and so it should be-
| There are memories connected with it never to be
forgotten. 1t will be very generally observed by
our citizens. People, very many who cannot well
| 90 farther away, will spend it in the different
parks. The children enjoy this holiday very
much. 1t does person good to be looker-on
upon such a scene. They are to be the future
mothers and fathers of our patriots who will cele-
brate the Fourth of July when we are asleep in our
tombs, and so it goes from one generation to an
other. A large portion of our citizens will pass
| the day in the country. There are excursions by
rail and steamboat advertised for various points.
There will be no special celebration in the city
People want to get to the country this hot weather
As we do not have attractions such as we used to
have in former times on such day, fewer people
come to town from the country. There is nothing
novel for them to see or that would recompense
for spending hot day in pent-up city.
Some five or six of those who were tried and
convicted recently in our Criminal Court-the de-
cision having been affirmed by the Court of APP
peals-were sentenced yesterday by Judge Duffy
to two years in Jail, the heaviest penalty that
could be inflicted. One was fined $1,000 addi-
tional. 1t will hope, have its good effect in our
having more pure elections. fear, however, pol
itics may effect their pardon before long.
The death of Judge Bartol, until recently Chief
Judge of the Court of Appeals, when declining
health required he should retire from that honor
able position, has been deeply lamented by all. 1
knew him well for many years. He was beloved
and respected by every one. His funeral was
largely attended and of deeply solemn and i'm
pressive character.
Patterson Park was swarming with over 5000
babies last evening and early in the night to hear
music and enjoy health. Itwas beautiful scene.
NEsToR.